Peace Paradigm Radio, August 9: Transforming Feminist Practice

In this show, Stephanie talks with Dr. Leela Fernandes about some of the themes in her provocative book, Transforming Feminist Practice: Nonviolence, Social Justice and the Possibilities of a Spiritualized Feminism. In her book Dr. Fernandes calls social justice movements, “sacred endeavors,” and offers a thoughtful and thought-provoking exploration of the promise of a spiritualized view to enact social transformation both inwardly and outwardly.

Speaking of political and spiritual transformation in the same breath, she presses for a sacred understanding of our selves both as individuals and as a part of a larger interconnected world…In offering a compelling alternative vision of feminist practice—demanding nothing less that a spiritual revolution—Fernandes has taken the next step. Transforming Feminist Practice is an indispensable book for activistas and thinkers.

—Gloria E. Anzaldúa

Meet our guest:

Leela Fernandes is a Professor of Women’s Studies and Political Science at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Professor Fernandes specializes in comparative politics, international feminism, and South Asian studies and previously taught at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, and Oberlin College. She is the author of several books including India’s New Middle Class: Democratic Politics in an Era of Economic Reform (University of Minnesota Press, 2006), Producing Workers: The Politics of Gender, Class, and Culture in the Calcutta Jute Mills (University of Pennsylvania Press, 1997), and Transforming Feminist Practice (Aunt Lute Books, 2003). She is also the author of numerous articles and essays on women and labor, class politics, cultural representation, nationalism, and globalization.

Listen to PPR for August 9, 2013 by clicking this link or clicking on the grey arrow below. (If you right click on the link you can download the talk to your computer and listen on-the-go.)

[audio: http://archives.mettacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lfernandes-peace_paradigm_2013-08-09.mp3]